How to Visit Leuven University Library – A Literary Gem in Belgium (2026)!

As a reading lover, there’s nothing I love more than visiting libraries and bookshops when I travel.

So, on my recent trip to Belgium, I knew I had to visit Leuven University Library.

This enchanting reading hall is constructed out of carved oak and designed in the Art Deco style.

It’s a dream come true for readers, but there is a tragic side to this library’s tale that you can learn during a museum tour.

The cherry on the cake of any visit is climbing to the top of the Leuven Bell Tower for panoramic views over the entire city. 

Here is how to visit the Leuven University Library in Belgium.

Turbulent history of KU Leuven Library 

I think you’ll be hard-pressed to find another library that has had such a turbulent history.

This institution seems to have only suffered since it was founded in 1636. During the French occupation, the library was attacked in 1797.

The books were ransacked, and their most valuable volumes were transported to institutions in Brussels and Paris. 

Centuries later, during the German Occupation, the library was set ablaze in 1914 with many of its precious books and manuscripts still inside. 

This sparked national outrage, and public fundraisers were held in Belgium and America, largely promoted by U.S. President Herbert Hoover, to build a new library.

The new Universiteitsbibliotheek on Ladeuzeplein started construction in 1921, and it opened a few years later.

By the 1930s, it had collected over 900,000 books. Many of these were donated by Japan.

Unfortunately, during WWII, the library was caught in a crossfire between Britain and Germany in 1940. 

Once again, the library was set ablaze, and only 15,000 books survived the disaster. Fortunately, the Bell Tower survived.

It eventually reopened in 1951 and was reconstructed in the original 1920s Art Deco style by Henry Lacoste. 

Despite its tragic past, the library now thrives like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

It contains 44,000 rare books and is a literary gem in Belgium that anyone can enjoy.  

Can you visit Leuven University Library today?

Yes, you can. The impressive KU Leuven building is open to visitors throughout the year. 

As part of a self-guided tour, you can explore this impressive academic building and admire the breathtaking architecture.

You’ll encounter museum exhibits, the famous Reading Hall, and climb the Bell Tower to see 360-degree panoramic views of Leuven.

It’s Leuven’s number one attraction for good reason, and you must plan a visit.

How to get to Leuven Library in Belgium 

It’s very easy to plan a day trip to Leuven from Brussels as it’s only a 20-30 minute train ride away.

Regular trains depart from Brussels Midi Station throughout the day, and you can book your tickets on the SNCB official website. 

Once you arrive in Leuven, it’s easiest to walk to the Leuven University Library as most of the city is pedestrianised.

You’ll find the impressive KU Leuven in Ladeuzeplein, which is a large square in the heart of the city.

Look out for the huge ‘Beetle Totem’ in the middle, which is the work of Belgian artist Jan Fabre.

Opening times & prices

Leuven University Library is open every day of the week for visitors. 

But, please note that if you want to visit the famous reading hall, you can only do so on Saturdays and Sundays. 

If visiting this library is important to you, make sure to plan your Belgium itinerary around this. 

Visiting hours are between 9 am and 6 pm on weekdays, except Tuesdays, when it’s open later until 8 pm. 

On weekends and holidays, the university is open from 10 am – 6 pm. 

Tickets for a self-guided tour of the library and tower cost €8 for an adult. 

This includes an optional audio guide available via an app on your phone. So, make sure to bring some headphones. 

They also offer guided tours in English and Dutch. These only happen on weekends and can be booked in advance at a slightly higher cost. 

Exploring the carved wooden library 

On my visit, I was so excited to finally step inside the impressive Reading Hall of Leuven University.

It’s an enormous 13 x 44 metre room constructed out of carved oak panelling and was designed in the Art Deco style by Henry Lacoste.

There are two storeys to this book hall, as well as adjoining reading chambers.

Every floor is lined with wooden bookshelves, and there are many books found in the middle as well.

On the lower floor, you can see endless rows of desks that allow for study. You may even see students reading on your visit. 

Before you head up the stairs to the mezzanine, make sure to note the large carvings of lions and eagles on the balustrade and a giant Deco clock. 

You can then wander around the upper floor to get better views of this incredible book trove and peer into the smaller reading rooms. 

As an active library, the books are free to access, so you can have a good old snoop. Just make sure to put them back where you found them!

This room is honestly a reader’s dream come true and made my visit to Leuven worth it alone. 

As a Romantasy reader, I was in my element here. It felt like I had been transported straight into the world of Velaris from ACOTAR (iykyk).

Museum Exhibits 

As well as the Reading Hall, there are plenty of other rooms to visit in the museum.

This is where your audio guide will come in handy, as you can listen to the history of these rooms on your phone. 

The tour, including the reading hall, will take around an hour to complete. But you can spend as long as you like inside.

On your visit, you’ll walk through several rooms telling you the story of Leuven University. 

As well as an academic building, it serves as a war monument. You can find many touching memorials throughout the building.

One of the most impressive is dedicated to King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth, the royal couple during WWI. 

Wandering around this building seriously reminded me of Hogwarts or the castle in Beauty and the Beast!

It was so enchanting and every floor felt like walking through a fairytale. 

Leuven University Bell Tower 

After you’ve explored the Reading Hall and some of the exhibits, you then ascend five floors via spiral staircases to the top of the Bell Tower.

Although it is a lot of steps to climb, you’ll be stopping at each floor to learn the turbulent history of this famous building.

There are seats on every floor if you need to take a well-deserved break.

These photography exhibitions are fascinating and take you through the dual fires, international solidarity and the reconstruction process.

Once you reach the very top, you can walk around the tower terrace and see panoramic views over the city of Leuven and beyond. 

Although my legs were aching and I was breathless, these views were so worth it! You could honestly see for miles.

Is Leuven University Library worth visiting?

Yes, you must add the Leuven University Library to your literary bucket list. It’s a reader’s dream come true.

To make the most of your visit, I would recommend heading here on a weekend so you can visit the magical reading hall.

If your dates don’t coincide with a weekend, it is still worth visiting to see this enchanting building and the incredible views you can get from the Bell Tower. 

Don’t skip a visit to Leuven Library in Belgium; it’s a literary gem you won’t regret visiting. 

Other things to do in Leuven

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that Leuven is never a first choice for visitors travelling to Belgium. 

However, after visiting, I think it’s a seriously underrated city that’s worth checking out. 

The first thing you should experience is wandering around Leuven Oude Markt to see some of the historic buildings.

In this square, you’ll find the Historic Leuven Town Hall and St Peter’s church, which looks like you’ve stepped back in time.

After you visit the library, I recommend heading to the Leuven Botanical which is filled with flora and fauna and many tropical greenhouses. 

Entry is completely free, and those warmer greenhouses saved me in the cold!

Another place worth visiting is the Groot Begjinhof, which is like a medieval village.

You can visit the historic church and wander around the fairytale cobbled streets. 

On your way, make sure to stop at Dijlepark to cross over their ornamental bridge and spot some of the local herons.

I didn’t have time, but I would have loved to visit Arenberg Castle Park. It’s a 30-minute walk from the centre and looks like something from a storybook.

Read more of my Belgium travel guides

How to visit the Boniface Bridge in Bruges

How to visit the Palace of Justice in Brussels

Save the KU Leuven Library for later